Will People Laugh At Me On Stage?

[disenchant]

Okay, got the news from my chiro and no more one-shoulder bass strap. It's screwing up my back and causing lots of pain (old gymnastics and martial arts injuries flaring up).

Am I going to look MEGA stupid standing on stage with one of those two-shoulder bass straps?

Will people laugh at the moron chick who can't wear a NORMAL bass?

Do they even work?

(I currently have no gigs lined up for any time in the future, and not really practicing much with my band, but doc says NO MORE, and I agree since I'm currently in much back pain and maybe the pain meds aren't helping me make sense).

 

[madbassplaya]

i don't think so.

get the lightest bass you can and rock whatever you have to.

 

[willsellout]

I had one for a while, and I didn't think it looked bad. Although I didn't notice any difference in comfort. When I did notice a difference is when I went with a larger strap (4"). I also felt a difference with a Fender neoprene strap that I still own and play with.

 

[klaus486]

Grab a stool and sit! Let your lap take all the weight. Unless you are doing High energy Lady Gaga style dance moves nobody will care. Anthony Jackson does it and IMO if he does it it's gold. Just be sure to watch your posture when doing so.....no slouching! A back brace would probably help in that regard.

 

[disenchant]

I had one for a while, and I didn't think it looked bad. Although I didn't notice any difference in comfort. When I did notice a difference is when I went with a larger strap (4"). I also felt a difference with a Fender neoprene strap that I still own and play with.

I do have a very wide strap, I think that it helped some, but I guess it's messing with my posture. Once the pain lessens I'll do a lot of strengthening and see if that helps. Otherwise I have to sit and play.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

Try out hollow body or semi hollow body basses. The Epiphone Viola is a pretty rocking bass once you put some flats on it. It looks cool, weighs nothing, and actually has a pretty good tone! That with a uber wide neotech (or similar brand strap) could probably still work.

 

[Munjibunga]

Nah, they're cool. They look kinda like a sports bra.

 

[Marginal Tom]

My advice is to sit forever, unless your exercises help a lot. You have a sound medical reason for it, and your audience won't care. If your bandmates care, find a new band.

Drummers, keyboard players and steel guitar players sit all of the time. I saw a six-piece band tonight - the rhythm guitar player stood up when he sang. The rest (lead, steel, drums ,keys, bass) sat the whole night, even when they sang. Nobody was injured.

 

[nocontrols]

Why would anyone laugh at you because of the strap you wear? Don't be afraid.

That this is a concern made me sad. I want to give the OP a hug.

 

[nocontrols]

Also, yes, sitting is legit. Nothing wrong with that at all. You take care of your health first and don't worry for a minute about someone laughing at you.

 

[elgranluis]

yes, they will all laugh at you. Unless you are very good looking.

Seriousy, health always comes first. I'd try a hollowbody and a nice EQ first.

 

[knappymer]

One of my favorite bass players Phil Lipsomb (sp?) from Taproot plays with a double shoulder strap. If you're comfy, who cares what gear you have or what not? It's the only back you're ever going to have, why not take care of it?... maybe try to find a lighter bass too.

good luck. and rock on.

 

[BadBassNo9]

I'm not sure what's wrong when them, i think they're kinda cool. If you're really worried, maybe wear the same colour as the strap and it may camouflage it.

 

[arsie]

Get one of these or play sitting down. Why would anyone laugh at you because you are injured? Have a little faith in humanity

 

[Plstrns]

Na, any strap is cool as long as it's Masculine patterned and colored . I would sit for rehearsals and practice, and set your new strap for lap height.

 

[Blues Cat]

Let the music do the talking, not the strap.

 

[Slaine01]

YouTube - ZZ Top - Legs (music video)

Go to 1:45

Need I say more...........

Belt strap .... sooooooooo 80's

(hate to think of the mod on the back of the bass though..... )

 

[MelodiousThump]

Make it cool. Wear it with pride and rock out.

I have back problems, too. I sit on a tall stool and stand to sing my infrequent harmony
part.

 

[jrgrinder]

pull off what marcus geard from the slackers does....

 

[nocontrols]

This thread title would have a completely different meaning if the OP were a stand-up comedian.